Amusement device.



H. A. MYERS.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-9.1915.

SHEET 1.

11 5 [NYE/ f0 I ATTORNEY Patented Sept.

2 S H E ETS H. A. MYERS.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJL I915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FIElE UNITED STATES rrica.

HUBER'I A. MYERS, F TOLEDO, OHIO.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application filed August 9, 1915. Serial No. 44,435.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Hnnnn'r A. MYERS, acitizen of the United States of America, residing at Toledo, Lucascounty, Ohio, have invented new and useful Amusement Devices, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to a housing device and the transporting thereof.

This invention has utility when incorporated in an entertainment oramusement device, say for sub-aqueous travel and observation.

Referring to the drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of an embodimentof the invention in a submarine boat or chamber amusement device; Fig. 2is a detail View of the drive control handle in plan; Fig. 3 is afragmentary plan view of the end frame housing for the chamber sections;Fig. 4: is a view of one of the seats with its sight opening and closurecontrol connections; Fig. 5 is a section on the line VV, Fig. 1, lookingin the direction of the arrow; Fig. 6 is a section on the line VIVI,Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 7 is a section onthe line VIIVII, Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 8is a section on the line VIII-VIII, Fig. 6, looking inthe direction ofthe arrow; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the control handle of Fig. 2;and Fig. 10 is a central vertical section through a terminal sectionofthe chamber.

The submersible chamber comprises the intermediate transverse sections 1similar to each other and the terminal sections 2, which are alsosimilar and may be connected to the desired number of intermediatesections in assembling an amusement submarine of the elected capacity.'These sections may be stiffened by the webbings 3, 4, through whichbolts may extend in drawing the packed joints of the sections togetherfor a structure sufiiciently tight to'eXclude water.

In the event the sections are of cast metal, longitudinal rigidity maybe given thereto by the channels 5, 6, seating in the assembled sectionsand shaped thereabout with the additional terminal stiffeningtherebetween of the pointed nose boiler plate mem-v bers 7, thus givinga complete protective wrought metal nesting for the cast sectionalchamber. Between the narrowed portions of the channels 6, plate 8, Fig.3, may hold the compression spring 9 to thrust the bumper head 10against the retaining lips 11. Accordingly in any travel of the chamberon the tracks 12 anchored by the ties 13, should there be concussionbetween cars or chambers and other objects, such blows are directlyreceived and taken up in the wrought metal nesting, thereby saving thechamber proper from possible rupture.

The chamber or car is anchored or sustained by the rods 14 having screwthread engagement with the channels 6, the lower portions thereof beingrectangular or polygonal to key these rods against rotation as to thechamber and terminal sections 2 thereof through which they extend. Thelower ends of these rods 14 carry the bearing blocks 15, 16, throughwhich the square I axle 17 extends to carry the traction wheels 18 loosethereon and free to travel in the channel tracks 12 with slight freedom,allowing the chamber a slight yielding motion. Guide rollers 19 precludeany binding action occurring between the wheels and track. For raisingand lowering the chamber as to the track, say for varying thesubmergence at landing or adjusting to tide or water level conditions,the hand wheel 20, through. the sprocket chain 21 may rotate the shaft22, pinions'23 in mesh with the gears 24 threaded on the rods 14, togive the rods longitudinal travel as to the chamber. The longitudinalshaft 25 has driving connection between the end shafts 22 for uniformaction of all the rods 14.

In normal travel of the chamber, the driving means or traveling cable 26in its taut pulling will have pinch engagement in the jaws 27 fast withthe axle 17. For interrupting travel of the chamber efi'ected throughthe cable 26, the handle 28, with its lever 29 may be gripped, thusfreeing the rod 30' from locked engagementwith the sector 31, so thatthe rod 30 with its arm 32 may be shifted to have the fork 33 move thepin 34 toslide the block 35 and rollers 36 against the cable 26 to crowdthe cable 26 out of thejaws 27 so that no driving action is transmittedfrom the cable 26 to the chamber. The rod 37 from the lever 29 mayextend upward to the arm 38 to permit shifting of this cable 26 from thetop of the entrance hatchway 39 within reaching distance of the deck 40.The hatches or top openings in the terminal sections 2 may be closed bythe doors 4.1.

Extrance to the vessel may be by the stairway A2 up the side from a dockor mooring place, to the deck 40, thence via steps 4. to the top of theopening 39, descent in which may be had by a spiral stairway 44 aboutthe drive control shaft 30.

For efl'ective air circulation, the terminal funnels 45 may be providednormally extending to protrude above the water, even with the chambersubmerged. Circulation may be aided by placing fans 4C6 driven by thebatteries 47 inthe funnels 4.5.

For the accommodation of amusement seekers, the chamber sections 1 mayhave seats 48. Adjacent each seat 48 may be provided a port hole orsight opening -19 having a closure 50 rigidly connected to which is anarm 51 extending within the chamber and having connection through link52 with the movable or hinged seat bottom 58. Vhen a seat 48 isunoccupied, a spring 54 below the bottom thereof urges the bottom 53upward to close the transparency containing sight opening or window 49by swinging the closure 50 in position thereover. In the emergency of awindow breaking, the first action of the observer would be to flee, andthe closure 50 at once acts to cure the leakage.

In addition to the lateral sight openings for observers to witness underwater life and conditions as illuminated by the search lights 55 turnedon by the switches 56 or occupied seats, there may be above waterobservation through the series of periscopes, disposed one for each seatand comprising the reflectors ormirrors 57 swiveled on the upwardlyextending tubes 58 directing light rays from the upper reflectors ormirrors '59 to the lower mirrors 57. The tubes 58 may be adjustedvertically by forcing up and down in their packed mountings,wand may berotated to variously direct the upper mirrors 59, thereby permittingadjustment by an observer to many positions. Posts 60 on the deck 40,may carry the guide or side rails 61 surrounding the deck.

The amusement device may be readily handled by a single conductor whomay also be instructor as to the sights to be viewed. The progress oftravel of the chamber is easily controlled by clutching or releasing thecable 26. The auxiliary propelling device for emergency operation may beoperated from the hand wheel 62, when power means are not provided. Handwheel 62, through the shaft 63 and pinion 6% rotates the pinion 65 onthe square shaft 66, which shaft 66 may slide through this gear orpinion 65. Fast on the shaft 66 is the pinion 67 in mesh with the gear68 having fast therewith the pin carrying wheel 69 in mesh with theopenings in the top flange of the track 12, whereby a second positivedriving means for the chamber is provided. To preclude binding of thedevice as to the track 12, the loose disk 70 corresponds in function.with the guide rollers 19.

The device is positively maintained in its position, even duringsubmergence, and the extent of sulmiergence may be positively varied bythe hand wheel 20. Accordingly the device may normally float or normallysink and still be safely operable herein. The funnels maintain aircirculation and outside communication at all times. The port holes orlateral observation windows have self acting insurance against anyflooding of the chamber,

"What is claimed and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A submersible vessel having a passenger carrying region comprisingsimilar annular sections, an anchoring device for the vessel,

and rigid means for moving the vessel into submerged position toward theanchoring device.

2. A submersible vessel, a track therefor, and means operable from thevessel for adjusting the vessel toward and from the track.

3. A submersible amusement chamber, alternative driving means therefor,and a controller for connecting and disconnecting the chamber from oneof the driving means,

i. A submersible amusement chamber and a plurality of independentpositive driving means for the chamber.

5. A submersible amusement closed bott an chamber and submerged positivelifting means for the chamber independently of the longitudinal travelof the chamber.

6. A submersible chamber provided withan upwardly extending exitopening, the.

ceiling of said chamber extending to com municate with said opening, adeck forming an exterior platform adjacent the opening, and a fixedchamber anchoring and directing way.

7. A controllable submersible amusementdevice comprising a chamber, adirecting way therefor, means for determining the position of thechamber as to the way, normal driving meansfor the chamber, emergencydriving means for the chamber, observers seats in the chamber, lateraland periscopic View openings for the observers,

and connections for the seats to the respec- 9. A closed bottomsubmersible chamber, tive lateral openings for closing said openpositiveactuating and submergence fixing ings when the observer leaves the seat.means therefor, and an adjusting device for 10 8. A closed bottomsubmersible vessel, the vessel as to the means. 5 positive positiondetermining means for In Witness whereof I afiix my signature.

maintaining the vessel location, and an adjusting device for the vesselas to the means. HUBERT A. MYERS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

